Is Weed A Drug?

If you’ve ever wondered is weed a drug, then you’re not alone. Weed, as marijuana is often called on the street, goes by other nicknames that can make you question if it’s a drug. These include herb, grass, and reefer.

What Is Weed?

Weed is a mixture of gray-green dried flowers from the Indian hemp plant known as Cannabis sativa which is why it is often called cannabis. Marijuana is often ingested as a hand-rolled cigarette known as a joint that is then smoked. Sometimes a water pipe called a bong is used to smoke weed.

In other cases, a person might eat foods such as candies, brownies, or cookies that contain marijuana. These edibles are commonly consumed for medicinal reasons. Weed can also be brewed as a tea and used in a vaporizer.

Marijuana contains more than 500 chemicals. The primary chemical in weed that delivers the euphoric effects people desire is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This psychoactive — or mind-altering — substance is more commonly known simply as THC. More than 100 other compounds that are chemically related to THC are also contained within the marijuana plant.

So, Is Weed A Drug?

The simple answer to the question, “Is weed a drug?” is a resounding yes. This is because the presence of THC creates an altered state of mind for those who ingest it.

Some people argue that weed cannot be a drug because it is a natural substance. There are even people who will go so far as to say that marijuana is harmless because it is natural. It’s important to remember that there are many “natural” plants that can also be harmful such as hemlock.

Effects Of Weed

Some examples of the effects on a person when they ingest weed can help you see that it is a drug. These include feelings of relaxation, euphoria, increased appetite, laughter, heightened sensory perception, and a distorted sense of time.

However, some people experience negative effects that can be immediately harmful to them. Panic, paranoia, distrust, and fear can occur when a person is inexperienced, when too much of the drug is ingested, or when the drug is high in potency.

Weed And Driving

During the operation of a motor vehicle is one crucial area where the effects of weed become evident. Your reaction time, judgment, and motor coordination are all directly impaired by the consumption of marijuana. Not surprisingly, the level of THC in your blood is related to the level of impairment.

Of those drivers involved in auto accidents — including those that were fatal — marijuana was found most frequently in their bloodstream. Several analyses of studies found that marijuana use increases the risk of being involved in a car crash.

Marijuana Is Addictive

Another reason why the answer to the question: is weed a drug is a yes is because marijuana can be addictive. Known as marijuana use disorder, this type of addiction has been shown to occur in about 30 percent of those who use weed.

A primary marker for addiction is the fact that a person is dependent on a drug. After not ingesting weed, an individual might feel irritable, restless, and have cravings. Sleep and mood disorders, as well as a decrease in appetite, can also occur.

Promises Behavioral Center partners with you to help you create the life you’ve always wanted. With our range of programs, we can tailor a treatment plan to meet your individual needs. Learn how by contacting us today at 844.875.5609.